I really enjoy your blog, because it is real and I so appreciate that you “take care of your own”, with the benefits for your employees, your praise of them, the car for your grandparents, the Burden Lake Fundraiser, etc.

I am in the process of trying to raise funds for my brother who has cancer, I have written the letter below to local Fire Departments, VFW’s and American Legion Posts. I don’t know if you can post this letter, but I would sincerely appreciate it, or if I could place containers in your establishments for donations?

I know times are extremely tough for everyone right now, this is just something I would love to be able to do for my brother and his sons if at all possible. I know it’s a huge request, even if I can obtain donations for something to take the edge off with medical bills, etc. or even make one of these dreams come true, it would be an awesome blessing.

You seem to be able to touch people by being you and your compassion and love and support. I want to thank you sincerely, for any way you can help get my word out. If you need help at any of your restaurants, I use to work in the restaurant business as a GM of a local establishment, I would be willing to help out (volunteer naturally) in anyway I can, thank you.

Barb Veltman

Dear President or Chief:

I am writing to ask your support of my brother, Ric Root, who was a member of the National Guard until his stroke in 1985, at the age of 26 while he was on his two week maneuvers in Peekskill, NY. My brother is now facing another battle that he was diagnosed with in June of this year. He has liver/colon/intestinal cancer which they have operated on him for, however, upon the return of the biopsies after the operation, it was determined that his life prognosis is 2-5 years.

Ric has been on disability since his stroke, as he has memory issues, and right residual effects of the stroke, limiting his right and leg movements. Ric was married and had two sons, Richard, and Nicholas from this marriage, he is now dating his girlfriend, Janet, whom he has a six year old son, Gavin with. Gavin has also had some problems, TIA’s, etc, where he was hospitalized for a month when he was three years old.

Ric was a member of the Elsmere Fire Department for a number of years until his stroke, whereby he became a social member as his disability did not enable him to partake in the physical demands of a volunteer fireman, in addition, he was also part of the Delmar Rescue Squad for a number of years.

Ric was extremely dedicated member of both the Department and the Rescue Squad as well as his services in the military as a medic. His son Richard, continues in his father’s footsteps as a member of the Delmar Fire Department and is getting married next July as well as working for a local landscaper in the Delmar area, and his second child, Nicholas attends college in LA, while Gavin attends school in Albany. Being so far away, Nicholas has worked extra hours at his restaurant job to ensure he could be home to spend time with his Dad after his surgery. The financial tolls are a lot on their family and they continue to strive to make the best of a sad and final situation.

What I’m trying to do is similar to Make A Wish Foundation for children, as Ric is on a limited Social Security Disability income and has dreams of vacationing with his boys as well as purchasing a camp site at the Woodstock Camp grounds in Berne, NY. Here he can put his camper and take part of the many wonderful activities the camp offers for his son, Gavin as well as his two older sons.

In these tough financial and economic times, I realize this is a lot to ask, but my goal to attain these dreams is $10,000 ($5,000 for the camp property rights and $5,000 for a trip to Disney, or wherever the family decides to make some memories of this time together).

My brother and his sons are not aware I am doing this as they are extremely proud, however, I wanted to try and reach out in the hopes that we could, together, make some dreams a reality in the short time he has left with his sons. Ric has already been through so much in his short life, my dream is to try and make these last 2-5 years memorable for Ric and his boys, where they can partake in things that they normally would not be able to afford, except with the love and support of the community, both personal, the military and the local Fire and Rescue Departments.

I realize this is a tall order and a lot to ask, it’s a goal, that may not be attainable, but I felt I had to ask in support of my brother and his kids for the commitment he not only made to his local Fire and Rescue Departments, but the promise he made to the National Guard when he joined to upstand his country.

No matter how large or small, some or all of these goals can be attained. It’s amazing how a community can pull together and take care of their own. We had a mini class reunion for the BCHS class of ’82 recently and will be having another this weekend, August 8th. In reconnecting with many members of our class, we became aware of the many challenges, illnesses, etc. that so many members of our class have gone through, and we’ve started a cause “Taking Care of our Own” that we hope to collect donations for various causes every year upon “catching up” again.

The donation address for Taking Care of our Own is PO Box 242, Slingerlands, NY 12159. This year, I am asking for your support of my brother, Ric.

From the bottom of my heart, sincere appreciation and thanks,

]]>By: ednahttps://blog.timesunion.com/baumgartner/burden-lake-fundraiser-goes-over-swimmingly/1306/#comment-2835
Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:52:27 +0000http://blog.timesunion.com/baumgartner/?p=1306#comment-2835Matt I was talking to a guy that I know from the PACC yesterday and he was amazed at all your time and effort during the event.He said you were personable and eager and a go getter. Just thought youd like to know,and thanks for doing something so special for the community and giving of your time and resources.
]]>By: Matt Baumgartnerhttps://blog.timesunion.com/baumgartner/burden-lake-fundraiser-goes-over-swimmingly/1306/#comment-2825
Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:30:18 +0000http://blog.timesunion.com/baumgartner/?p=1306#comment-2825Jen S.,
I do it on Pages, a mac program. It takes me forever, but I think it adds a nice touch. I can show you if you’d like..
]]>By: Jen Shttps://blog.timesunion.com/baumgartner/burden-lake-fundraiser-goes-over-swimmingly/1306/#comment-2820
Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:36:56 +0000http://blog.timesunion.com/baumgartner/?p=1306#comment-2820Hey Matt- OT, but how do you get the pictures to either have this “cut edge” or the angled look (Friday’s Puppy posting). Is it a TU blog feature? I don’t see how I can do that on my TU blog.
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